To the Editor:

In last week’s guest column about Colin Kaepernick I wrote, “His protest is by kneeling (in prayer) while the National Anthem is being performed prior to National Football League games.” 

My friend, Shane, asked me to verify that Mr. Kaepernick prayed during his protest. Basically, this showed that I had made an assumption and could offer no evidence to support the two words — in prayer. Therefore, I thank Shane for catching that mistake on my part. 

I apologize to The Smoky Mountain News readers for that error. I also apologize to Mr. Kaepernick. I do not know what his belief is regarding prayer. So, I should not paint a picture of the gentleman praying in public without knowing for certain that he did. 

As most readers probably already know when Jesus taught his disciples how to pray (Luke 11:1-4, KJV) He told them to pray in their closet with the door closed. Much is said today about prayer in public places and before public meetings. The question may be — should people advocate for or against public prayer based on what is written in the King James Version of the Bible?

Dave Waldrop

Webster